Optional: Tubs/Boxes etc for sorting into (you can see I used some large plastic dishes)

Our recycle box with our usable materials.

Attach your labels to wherever you'd like the recyclable goods to be sorted.

(Extra: you could get the children to make their own labels or colour in the ones I've provided)

Maddie (3.5) was so eager to start she could barely wait for me to get set up

Reading/sounding out the words on the labels meant she knew where each item was intended

Diving in!

She declared that "sorting is fun!"

Once done, we could see our most popular recyclable materials and the ones that we don't tend to use as much of. Ask your child why they think this is?

Added Math skills. "Weighing" and comparing a larger plastic tub and a small glass jar.

Which do you think was heavier?

(Talk about heavier, lighter etc)

Handy Tips:

- Simplify this
activity by assisting your child to sort the different materials into the 3
groups. Talk about how they can tell the difference

- Extend this
activity by having your child sort and categorise unassisted. Ask your child to
explain to you the difference between the materials. Can they feel a difference
in weight? Can they hear a difference when tapping the items? Etc. Have your
child brainstorm uses for the recycled good.

- Mix it up by
making a pretend recycling truck out of a cardboard box and “transporting” the
recycled goods from the starting point to their separate groups. Add gross motor skills by having these at
either ends of the room so they have to travel.

- Have more fun
by providing some sticky tape for the children to get creative with the
recyclable goods once you’ve finished sorting and categorising them.

- Brainstorm all
the ways that they “Go Green” around the house and out and about

- Talkwith your
child about what they are doing. This will help them understand the physical
and mental processes they are going through as well as giving them the
vocabulary to describe it.

- Use new language and
descriptive words like, "recycle" “conserve” etc. This will help with
their language development.